key tax return and refund dates
When can you file your taxes?
You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.
Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.
When does the IRS accept tax returns?
The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.
When is the IRS test batch?
If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.
When will I get my tax refund?
Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.
Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?
The official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.
A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.
tax refund grapevine
This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.
tax refund tools
IRS Update Cycle
Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.
When are Updates?
The IRS has regular mass update cycles.
WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?
Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.
WHEN DO transcripts update?
Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.
@Red Dawn: yaayyy … one step closer !! And I’m still around lurking 🫶🏽
@VaMom: is the timeframe on that notice the same as the 4464C? Mine is 120 days and to do nothing even though the letter stated 60 days. Had you gotten any other letter from them?
@Sheila_33: I’d like your opinion. I over reported my earnings in box 1 of the 1099 when I filed. I put the gross instead of after taxes. It’s only a $100 difference but do you think it would be beneficial to amend or do you think they will catch it and make the adjustment?
Received my CP05A letter and uploaded supporting docs today. Now we wait again…
@Red Dawn: The amended may have cleared up the 570. Hopefully, they’ll just see its a replicated amended and get you finished off.
No update AGAIN I’m so over ittt 11 weeks….
@Red Dawn My husband hit a deer on his way to work last week so down to him using my car leaving me afoot.
@Mary: yes. 😭 then a deer hit into me on my way work. 😭 Whatta time.
@Victor: I verified 3/5/24, still waiting
Got a update to wmr that they are sending a verification letter, how long till after I verify do people see their ddd
@Red Dawn Oh no, your problem resolved but now you are in the amended phase UGH!!
Hey, yall I posted maybe a week or 2 ago not sure. Long story short f/a Jan. I got every letter you could think of between Feb and March. Amended twice at the end of March. Reached out to Congress/TA in April. Both TA/ Congress responded by 2 weeks. Congress Reached out again 3 days ago, pretty shocked i was still waiting and voila 🥹🥳 I woke up to 846 for May 8th. No updates on wmar. It’s really coming guys please keep the faith and don’t file early next year. Take care and see y’all soon❤️
@BeeBee40: I filed April 10th. I didn’t know you can file amended returns electronically. So I then printed it off and I mailed it. That second one was filed April 16th. On my transcripts I have 2 amended returns
@Red Dawn: good morning when did you amend your return
anyone else have n/a for 2023 transcript?
I updated with a 571 code (issue resolved). As of date May 20th. My amended returns show 0.00 next to it. 🥹
No update for me.
@LostNthesauce: I filed the same day as you. But I got all those codes back in march and haven’t moved since. The 971 is the 60 day notice letter. My 60 days were up last week and they sent me a letter for an additional 60 days and I haven’t had any movement on my transcript since march. Not even a code for the second letter.
@Harry a: yuuuuuuuup. TT got me a week ago.
@Harry a: same here, guess there done with this waiting game lol
And turbo tax just took there money from my checking acct.
now transcript says n/a for 2023
Ughh this is so sad f/a 1/29/24. Verified 3/22/24 they verified 3/26/24 went from processing dates 2/19,4/22,5/6 and now 5/20/24 with 971 noticed issued 5/20/24
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🍕
Do I really need to amend if I over reported my wages by $100 and some change or will the IRS fix my error?
Called IRS for the 3rd time Monday and they told me that my return looks good just have an 11 week wait for the injured spouse form. She said that was 11 week mark is today the 2nd of May. So hoping for an update tomorrow. Filed 2/12 recieved 2/14 all credit codes and then 570 with 3/11 as of date. She told me to call back if there was no changed tomorrow.. fingers crossed.
@Harry a: I’m so sorry 😞
It really shows that They Do Not care how this unmatched cruelty affects our families, future.
They get their paycheck ON TIME….
@Jacky_FL: i hear you im a month behind on everything now and next college finance coming up